X-ray machine



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 \nve '\'o\* .Thwad as X-RAY MACHINE W. H. THWAKTES Filed Sept. 2, 1936 April 12, 1938.

\Amham H April 12, 1938w w. H. THWAlTE S 2,113,866

X-RAY MACHINE Filed Sept. 2, 1956 s sheets-sheet 2 A ril 1 2, 1938. H. THWAITES X-RAY MACHINE Filed Sept. 2, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 12 1938 William H. Thwaites, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Thurlow E.

McFall, Sparta, Mich.

Application September 2, 1936, Serial No. 99,031

6 Claims.

This invention relates to X-ray machines. It is a primary object and purpose of the present invention to provide a machine of the character indicatedwhich is very simple and compact indesign, in which the X-ray tube is mounted so that it may be swung, together with the high tension transformer, about a horizontal axis into any one of a very large number of positions, and wherein the X-ray tube and the housing which covers it may be turned about a horizontal axis so as to present the window through which the rays are passed in the best position with respect to the patient who is to receive a treatment.

The present invention has many novel details 15 of construction and arrangement of parts for a very simple, practical'and effective operation of the machine. The invention may be understood from the followingdescription,:taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and there Will appear a great many advantageous features of novelty and utility as an understanding of the invention is had.

In the drawings; i Fig. 1 is a vertical section and side elevation of the machine of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section substantially on the plane of line 2-,-2 of Fig. 1, looking downwardly.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section substantially on the plane of line 33 of Fig. 1, looking'in a forward direction.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the ray tube .mounting. I

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a detail of mechanism 35 used in the mounting of the ray tube. I

Fig. 6 is a transverse section substantially o the plane of line 6--6 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sec- 40 tion similar to Fig. 4 of one end of the ray tube mounting, such end corresponding to the righthand end of Fig. 4.

Figs. 8 and 9 are transverse vertical sections on the planes of lines 8-8 and 9-9, respectively,

v of Fig. 7 looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 1, the

' outer cylindrical housing being removed and replaced by a handle member.

Like-reference characters refer to like parts 50 in the different figures of the drawings.

The mechanism is mounted upon and within a casing or cabinet. A lower frame I, substantially rectangular in shape, is supported by castors 2 so that the machine may be readily 55 moved. The casing has parallel vertical sides 3,

spaced apart from each other and rounded to make rounded corners 4 at their rear portions. Between the edges of the rounded corner portions 4 a back plate 5 is secured in any suitable manner. At their front corner portions the '5 sides 3 are rounded inwardly at 6 toward each other and at their upper portions extend in a vertical plane for a short distance at I, and are then again turned inwardly to make rounded corners 8 which are joined with spaced apart 1 sides 9 extending inwardly into the housing for a distance, each at its rear edge being turned inwardly to make a vertical back In located substantially midway between the front and rear sides of the casing and extending downwardly a distance therein. A cover II forms a top for the rear portion of the cabinet between the back 5, and the rearward portion of the sides 3. In clined top or cover members l2 cover the upper end of the cabinet between the forward portions 0 of the sides 3 and the'parts 9, extending over the corners 6 and 8 and thefront portions 1 previously described. The lower front part of the casing is provided with a'front member I3 (Fig.

- 1), and anupwardly and inwardly curved mem her M is fitted at the upper edge-of the front 13 and extends inwardly into the slot l5 (Fig. 2) which is made between the members 9 as pre viously described.

The material which is used may be any suitable material. It may be of metal or of suitable veneer or any other material which can be'shaped to the formation illustrated.

Within the lower front portion of the casing or cabinet thus made a high tension transformer I6 is mounted on and suspended from oppositely extending trunnions I 7 which are received in split bearings l8 connected to the inner sides of the sides 3 of the cabinet. Rods l9 pass through one end of each split bearing l8 and 40 thread through the other end and are provided with knobs at their outer ends so that the same may be turned to clamp the bearings on the trunnions and hold the transformer l6 and the ray tube mounting, which is connected therewith, in any position to which the parts may be swung about the horizontal axis of the trunnions IT.

A vertical tubular post 20 is secured in any suitable manner to the upper end of the transformer l6 and back of the trunnions l1, being positioned so that it may move back and forth in the slot 15. At the upper end of the vertical post 20 an X-ray tube mounting is carried. In-

cluded in the structure .(Fig. 4) is a substantially spherical housing 2| which has a neck 22 projecting from its lower side to fit over and be secured to the upper end of the post 26. The housing 2| is open at opposite horizontal sides and at one side is provided with a shouldered annular projection 23. A second housing of suitable ray impervious material is rotatably mounted at the shouldered end of the spherical housing 2|. The second housing, at its inner end, is of substantially cylindrical form, as indi cated at 24, and has projecting at one side thereof what may be termed a ray outlet funnel 25. The housing 24 is lined with lead as indicated at 24a. The cylindrical housing 24 is reduced in diameter at its outer end portions, providing a cylinder 26 which is closed at its outer end by an integral end 21, in which a circular opening and a slot 28 extending across the opening is cut for a use which will be later described. The second housing, consisting of the parts 24, 26 and 21, is mounted and held upon the shouldered end 23 of the spherical housing 2| in a manner such that it may be turned to any desired position about its horizontal axis. Also, the housing may be completely removed in order to permit the radiation of more of the desired X-rays.

A metallic cylinder 29, through which X-rays freely pass, is secured to the shouldered end 23 of the housing 2| within the housing member 24. Within the cylinder 29 and extending partly into the housing 2! is a sleeve 30 of insulating material. Cylinder 29 has an annular flange at both ends. An additional cylindrical housing 3| extends within the cylindrical part 26, being spaced therefrom, and at its inner end is formed with an annular flange 32 which is permanently connected to the cylinder 29, any suitable backing ring 33 being used. The outer end of the housing 3| is closed by an integral end 34 spaced a short distance from the end 21 of the adjacent cylinder 26.

At the opposite side of the housing 2| a short cylinder 35 is secured, within which and extending also into the housing2| is a sleeve 3'6 of insulating material, the ends of the sleeves 36 and 30 being spaced apart in the construction as shown in Fig. 4. An expansive corrugated metal closure 3'? is permanently secured to the outer end of the sleeve 35, this permitting expansion of any insulating fluid which may be used.

The X-ray tube 38 is mounted within and extends lengthwise of the parts described, passing entirely through the sleeve 39, extending part way into the sleeve 36, and having one end mounted so that it may move back and forth as it may expand under the influence of heat. Such mounting comprises a metallic sleeve 39 located within the sleeve 35, and a disc 40 attached to the end of the tube 38 slidably and rotatably fitting within the sleeve 39. The other end 4! of the tube, of a metallic screw threaded form, such as is usual in light tubes or bulbs for electric sockets, has two bars 42 soldered or otherwise permanently connected at opposite sides thereof. The bars are carried by a flexible disc 43 of fiber or other equivalent low tension insulating material. A stud 44 has a cylindrical enlarged head 45 at one end, and an intermediate section 4511 of de creased diameter, whereby a shoulder is formed adjacent the threads, said head being located between the part 34 and the disc 43. The portion 45a on the stud :34 projects through an opening in the end 34 of the housing 3| and is rotatable therein and a nut 44b, threaded onto the stud 44, holds the stud in rotatable position in the end 34 of the housing 3| and likewise forms an oil tight joint. Thus the housing, comprising the parts 35, 31, 2|, 29 and 3|, is made oil tight so that it may be filled with oil surrounding the X-ray tube to serve as an insulation.

A U-shaped rod 46 slidably passes through the head 45 and the legs thereof pass through the flexible fiber 43 receiving nuts as shown in Fig. '7 to connect the parts together. From the construction just set forth it will be understood that a universal connection is had between the tube proper and its rotating means, namely, the stud 44. The stud 44 passes through a circular opening in the endpart 34 and through the end 21 of the outer housing described and receives a nut 440. at its outer end. A pin 4':' is passed through the rod 44 so as to enter the slot 28 previously described as having been made in the end 21. See Fig. 9. From this construction it is apparent that when the housing comprised of the cylindrical portions 24 and 25 and the end 21, is rotated, there is a connection of the said housing and the ray tube whereby the tube rotates with the housing about the same horizontal axis. Therefore, the ray emitting cathode within the ray tube 38 is always properly positioned with respect to the ray outlet window which is at the inner end of the ray funnel 25.

Also, as shown in Fig. 10, a handle 21a may be provided, this handle having an opening therethrough similar in shape to the opening 28 in the member 21. Thus a connection is had whereby movement of the handle also rotates the tube.

An integral finger or bar 39a extends inwardly from the sleeve 39 and is connected to the upper end of a rod 48 which passes downwardly through an insulating core 49 within the tubular post 20. The insulating core 49 in the structure, shown in Fig. 4, extends nearly to the tube 38 and between the ends of the sleeves 30 and 3B. The lower end of the rod 48 is connected with one end of the secondary coil of the transformer IS. The other end of such secondary coil is grounded to any suitable part of the casing or cabinet. Wires 5|] are connected, one to the member 4| of the ray tube and the other to the outer end thereof so as to provide the necessary circuit wires to the filament of the ray tube, as all familiar with the structure of X-ray tubes will understand. These wires 5|! are led from their points of connection with the X-ray tube through the member 3|, thence through the sleeve 29 and to the housing 2|, and thence downwardly through the tubular post 20 between the same and the core 49, leaving said tubular post 20 near its lower end as shown in Fig. 1.

On a bracket 5|, see Fig. 1 of the drawings, in the upper rear portion of the cabinet, a suitable transformer 52 is carried; This transformer is called an autotransformer. The wires 53 and 54, from a suitable electric source lead to the opposite ends of the primary winding, there being interposed in one of such wires, for example, the wire 54, a switch 55. The switch 55 is mounted upon the vertical back I0. Aplunger 55a, pivotally connected to the knife blade of the switch 55, is pressed outwardly by the spring 55b. This causes the head of the plunger to lie in the path of the post 20 as it is swung upwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Thus the post 2!! causes an interruption in the main line circuit. The transformer l6 substantially counterbalances the tube and its members and tends to rotate the several parts to the full line position shown in Fig. 1. The brake mechanisms, operative upon the trunnions I1, hold the moving unit rod 59 bears against the knife between the terminals with which it is associated, and is adapted to be pushed rearwardly when the ray tube and the post tube which carries it are moved to vertical position as shown in Fig. 1, thereby automatically moving the switch 58 to a position to break the circuit. A transformer winding 50 for the low voltage circuit including. the wires 50 previously described isdisposed at the upper part of the autotransformer. A wire 5| leads from one of the wires 50 to a suitable meter 52, preferably mounted on one of the inclined top or cover sections l2, said meter being grounded at its opposite side, as indicated at 63, on the casing so as to complete the circuit.

When the several parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 1, the post 25 bears against the plungers 55a and- 59 and thus maintains the switches 55 and 28 in inoperative. positions. That is, both the line current is shut off and also the current from the secondary of the transformer 52.

Upon movement of the post 20 downwardly the line switch 55 immediately becomes operative due to the energization of the spring 55b. This provides a current into the primary of the transformer 52 and immediately the secondary 65 be comes operative to send current through the wires 50 to light the filament of the X-ray tube. Thus the filament is heated and the tube is ready for quick and expedient operation.

The switch 56 may be manually operated and this closes the secondary circuit which leads from the autotransformer 52. This secondary current enters the transformer 15 wherein it is utilized as primary current and thus the transformer i6 is energized. This transformer provides high tension current for the X-ray tube. It will be understood that the tube requires a short period for permitting its filament to be heated and that by my improved construction I automatically obtain this heating.

After using the tube the post 25 is pushed upwardly about its axis whereupon it contacts the respective plungers of the switches 55 and 58 and opens them. This completes the cycle of operations.

The end portion 26 of the housing described may be grasped by the hand so as to swing or move the tube mounting, together with the supporting post 20 and the high tension transformer 6, to any desired inclined position, one of which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Also, by grasping the outer end 25 of the housing described, such housing with the tube therewithin may be turned to different positions about the longitudinal axis of the tube. It is evident that in all positions, the ray emitting face of the cathode of the ray tube will always be maintained properly with reference to the window through which the rays pass.

While it forms no part of the present invention, 1

and need not be specifically described, the matter of the voltage and current may be adjusted through operation of the autotransformer in the usual and well known manner, and the meter at 82 will inform the operator with respect to the current which is being provided.

Upon completion of any treatment the parts are returned to the full line vertical position shown in Fig. 1, whereupon there will be an automatic operation of the switches 58 and 55 so as to stop any further emission of X-rays.

The construction illustrated and described is a very simple and practical construction for mounting and positioning an X-ray tube in the best position for the treatment of a patient. The very large number of locations to which the X-ray tube may be adjusted makes it possible to locate the ray tube and the ray funnel 25 at the best position possible for the treatment which is to be given. The construction is one which is readily and easily manufactured.

It is to be understood that the construction illustrated, while of a very practical form, may be varied in many structural details. For example, the electric current insulation shown by the sleeves 30 and 36 and the insulating core 45 may have substituted therefor oilas an insulator without in any manner affecting the operation of the machine. With solid insulation, such as illustrated, the distance of the spherical walls of the housing 2! from any point at which any high tension or high voltage current passes is such that the air serves as an effective insulation against any jump of the high voltage current.

My invention is not to be limited in specific detail of structure to the disclosure made in the drawings, but is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming within the scope of the claims appended hereto which define the invention.

I claim:

1. In a construction of the class described, a

cabinet, an X-ray tube mounted thereon for movements from a position above the cabinet to any one of a number of positions forward of and below said first position, a longitudinal housing within which said tube is longitudinally located, a sleeve mounted Within said housing near one end of the tube, a disk connected to said end of the tube slidably received in said sleeve, a member telescoping over said housing at the opposite end of the tube, said member having a ray outlet, and connections between said member extending through the adjacent end of the tube housing and connected with said opposite end of the tube, whereby said member and tube may be simultaneously turned about the horizontal axis of said housing and tube.

2. In a construction of the class described, a cabinet, an X-ray tube normally located above the cabinet and movably mounted for movements from said position above the cabinet to any one of a number of positions forward of and below said first position, a longitudinal housing within which said tube is longitudinally located, means for rotatably and slidably mounting one end of the tube, a member telescoping over the opposite end portion of the tube and of the housing enclosing the same adapted to be manually turned about the longitudinal axis of the housing, said member having a ray outlet, and means extending between said member and the opposite end of the tube, said means supporting said opposite end of the tube, whereby the tube is rotatably turned with the turning movements of said operating member.

3. A construction containing the elements in combination defined in claim 2, combined with electric insulation means between the tube and said housing therefor, a post supporting the housing, electric insulation means therein and an electric conduit extending through the electric insulation means in the post, combined with means connecting the same with the first mentioned end of the tube, as and for the purposes specified.

4. An X-ray machine comprising an X-ray tube contained in a housing which is mounted for movement to operative and inoperative positions, a main electric conductor supplying electric current to operate all electrical parts of said X-ray machine, an electric switch in said main electric conductor said switch being automatically opened by movement of said housing to inoperative position and released for closing movement by movement of said housing to operative position, an electric circuit supplying current for the X-ray, an electric switch in said X-ray current conductor automatically moved to open position by movement of said housing to inoperative position and released for closing movement by movement of said housing to operative position and manual means for closing said switch in said X-ray current conductor.

5. In a construction of the class described having an enclosing cabinet provided with upper and lower front quadrants and an open slotted recess in the upper quadrant between the sides of said cabinet, a post normally extending vertically through said slotted recess at the rear part thereof, a high tension transformer normally positioned in the lower front quadrant to which the lower end of the post is secured, trunnions connected with the upper portion of the transformer, bearings on the sides of the cabinet in which said trunnions are rotatably mounted, an X-ray tube housing carried at the upper end of the post and fixedly secured thereto, an X-ray tube within said housing, means for energizing the filament of said tube, means connecting said transformer with said tube, and means connected to one end of the tube and rotatably mounted on the housing, said means including a ray outlet, whereby said tube and the means connected therewith may be manually rotated together, as and for the purposes specified.

6. A construction containing the elements in combination defined in claim 5, combined with an electric circuit connected with the primary winding of said transformer, a switch in said circuit, operated by said post, and means to disconnect said switch when said post is moved from a forwardly inclined position to a vertical position.

WILLIAM H. THWAITES. 

